173 



THE HAWK'S-BILL TUKTLE. 



(Chelonia imbricata, Schw.) 



We have advisedly reserved the Chelonians until 

 the close of " Our Reptiles," instead of commencing 

 with them, as in true scientific arrangement we 

 were almost bound to do. It is a doubtful point 

 with us whether they deserve a place at all, certainly 

 not a prominent one ; and that this little volume 

 might not be regarded as incomplete in its enumer- 

 ation, we have added them at the end, in the hope 

 of " saving our turtle," even though it should prove 

 to be only " mock turtle." 



The Hawk's-Bill Turtle (Plate 11, Fig. 1) is an 

 American species, and its occurrence on our coasts 

 must be regarded as the result of accident. Sibbald 

 refers to one, of which he possessed the shell, and 

 which came from the Orkneys. Dr. Fleming 

 states : — " I have credible testimony of its having 

 been taken at Papa Stour, one of the West Zetland. 

 Islands," and Dr. Turton records an instance of one 

 which in the year 1774 was taken in the Severn, 



